Queen Beatrix of the Netherlands attended a dinner yesterday evening hosted by Sultan Qaboos bin Said al Said of Oman at the close of the first of a three-day official visit to the country. The banquet was held at the Sultan's Al Alam palace in the capital, Muscat.

Earlier on Tuesday evening, Deputy Prime Minister Maxime Verhagen praised the royal family and an accompanying trade delegation for their efforts in sealing a number of trade deals.

Delegates from Oman signed contracts of intent, which would strengthen ties between the between the two countries, in the presence of Queen Beatrix, Crown Prince Willem-Alexander and Princess Máxima.

Dutch waste management company CMTS van Sommeren signed a 160-million-euro contract to set up a national industrial waste system for dangerous substances.

Oman has also agreed to allow the import of veal from the Netherlands. More than ten years ago, the Gulf States banned Dutch meat following the outbreak of mad cow disease. While the ban was lifted in 2010, the Netherlands had to make separate agreements with each country in the region.

Van Drie Group, a prominent global player in the veal industry, is part of the trade mission in Oman. The Dutch-owned veal producer, which processes some 1.4 million calves each year, said it was pleased with the outcome. Van Drie Group exports more than 95 percent of its veal all over the world.
 

(jn)

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